Convertible blanket and backpack

ABSTRACT

A convertible blanket and backpack system in which a backpack converts to a ground cover blanket. The apparatus can include a waterproof ground cover blanket that includes a circular channel with two opposing openings formed adjacent to a perimeter of ground cover blanket and further including a cord that can be used to open or close the fabric material to switch between a backpack and a ground cover blanket. Additionally, the device can include one or more removable blankets that can be removably attached to the ground cover blanket.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a backpack that converts to a blanket, towel or ground cover and more particularly to an improved combination that provides removable components resulting in longer lifespan and sanitary use.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,343 describes a blanket and tote bag which can be drawn closed via drawstrings into a tote. The drawstrings can then be incorporated into a handle/strap for carrying the bag. The bag is a single compartment made of fabric material.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,812 describes a combined tablecloth and picnic bag including a sealed inner compartment for placing picnic tools and dishes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a backpack that converts to a ground cover blanket and vise versa. One embodiment of the present invention includes a first fabric material having a front side and a back side. The front side includes a channel with two oppositely placed openings formed adjacent to a perimeter of the first fabric material. Located within the circular channel is a cord that can be used to open or close the first fabric material to switch between a backpack and a ground cover blanket. Additionally, the device includes an attachment unit for removably attaching additional fabric materials to the first fabric material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a convertible backpack and ground cover system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective vies of a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is top plan view of third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the backpack and ground cover drawn closed into a backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a convertible backpack and blanket system 100, includes a ground cover 1, a removable blanket 2, a magnetic strip 3, a circular channel 4, containing a cord 5 protruding through two oppositely placed openings 6.

One side of the ground cover 1 acts as a receiving base for the removable blanket 2, and the other side of the ground cover 1 forms the exterior of the backpack when the cord 5 is drawn closed. See FIG. 4. As such, the ground cover 1 is preferably made from a strong waterproof material such as nylon. Additionally, the removable blanket 2 is preferably made of a soft, warm material such as cotton, or flannel.

The removable blanket 2 can be attached to and removed from the ground cover 1 by means of a lightweight magnetic strip 3. This magnetic strip 3 can be, for example, included along the edge or other portions of the removable blanket 2 and aligned with a similarly placed magnetic strip 3 that is also incorporated into the ground cover 1. As such, the removable blanket 2 can be easily removed and replaced when soiled or damaged, thus significantly extending the lifespan and flexibility of the convertible backpack and blanket system 100. Alternatively, the removable blanket 2 can be attached to the ground cover 1 by a more traditional means such as a zipper, Velcro®, snaps or the like.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates one removable blanket 2, the invention is not so limited. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 2, any number of additional removable blankets 20 can be added to the convertible backpack and blanket system 100. Each additional blanket 20 can perform a different function, and hence may be made out of different material. For instance, additional blanket 20 could be stuffed with padding, and placed between the ground cover 1 and the removable blanket 2. Alternatively, additional blanket 20 could be made of a rigid material to provide rigidity to the ground cover 1. Moreover, the additional blanket 20 could include an inflatable pocket to create an air mattress. To this end, each additional blanket 20 may also include a magnetic strip 3 or other attachment means as described above for aligning with other blankets and/or the ground cover 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which the shape of the removable blanket 2 can be altered to suit specific needs. For instance, a sleeping bag blanket 30 can be rectangular in shape. This blanket 30 can further include a magnetic strip or other attachment means along its periphery which acts both to convert the rectangular blanket into a sleeping bag and to attach it to the ground cover 1 or any additional blanket 20 interposed between the sleeping bag blanket 30 and the groundcover 1. Alternatively, each of the removable blanket 2, the additional blanket 20 and the sleeping bag blanket 30 can take a variety of shapes and materials. For instance, the outside of the sleeping bag blanket 30 may be Nylon, while the inside may be wool.

An additional feature of the convertible backpack and ground cover system 100 is the ability to switch functions between a backpack and a ground cover. This is particularly useful when carrying heavy items while camping or at the beach. As such, the convertible backpack and ground cover blanket may be converted to a backpack by simply pulling the cord 5 and drawing the ground cover 1 closed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a representation of the back side of ground cover 1 when closed into a bag. While closed, any removable blanket 2, additional blanket 20 or external items may be placed into the ground cover 1 and carried by a user via the adjustable padded shoulder straps 7. To this end, the backpack straps include padding such that while the ground cover 1 is in the open position a user can not feel the backpack straps from underneath. Additionally, any additional blanket 20 can further include a recessed area to which the backpack straps 7 lie. Moreover, additional items may be protectively carried within one or more external pocket 8.

This invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. 

1: A combined blanket and backpack comprising: a first fabric material having a front side and a back side, said first fabric material including a channel with two oppositely placed openings, said channel being formed adjacent to a perimeter of the fabric material; a cord located within the channel, said cord including two opposing ends configured to be drawn through the openings of the channel to form a closed bag; and a first attachment unit located on the front side of the first fabric material along a periphery of the channel. 2: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 1, further comprising: a second fabric material that includes a second attachment unit located along a periphery of the second fabric material, said second fabric material being configured to be removably attached to the first fabric material via the first and second attachment units. 3: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second attachment units utilize magnetic elements. 4: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 2, further comprising: a third fabric material that includes a third attachment unit located along a periphery of the third fabric material, said third fabric material being configured to be removably attached to at least one of the first fabric material and the second fabric material via at least one of the first second and third attachment units. 5: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first second and third attachment units utilize magnetic elements. 6: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 4, wherein the third fabric material includes padding. 7: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 4, wherein the third fabric material includes an inflatable pocket to form an air mattress. 8: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 2, wherein the first fabric material is a circular shape and the second fabric material is a rectangular shape, said second fabric material being larger than said first fabric material. 9: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 8, wherein said second fabric material is configured to be sealed to form a sleeping bag via the second attachment unit. 10: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 8, wherein a front side of the second fabric material is a cotton blend and a back side of the second material is waterproof. 11: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 1 further comprising: at least one adjustable backpack strap affixed to the back side of the first fabric material. 12: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 1 further comprising: at least one sealable pocket affixed to the back side of the first fabric material. 13: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 1, wherein at least one side of the first fabric material is waterproof. 14: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 2, wherein at least one side of the second fabric material is a cotton blend fabric. 15: A convertible backpack system comprising: a first fabric material having a front side and a back side, said first fabric material including a channel with two oppositely placed openings, said channel being formed adjacent to a perimeter of the fabric material; at least one adjustable backpack strap affixed to the back side of the first fabric material; a cord located within the channel, said cord including two opposing ends configured to be drawn through the openings of the channel to form a closed bag; an attachment means located on the front side of the first fabric material along a periphery of the channel; and at least one additional fabric material removably attached to said first fabric material via the attachment means. 16: The convertible backpack system of claim 15, wherein the first fabric material is a circular shape and the at least one additional fabric material is a rectangular shape, said at least one additional fabric material being larger than said first fabric material. 17: The combined blanket and backpack of claim 16, wherein said at least one additional fabric material is sealed to form a sleeping bag via the attachment means. 